By Sean Delaney
Businesses that go above and beyond in their support for the community are amazing. Kooy Brothers, a well-known name in Emery Village and Toronto, is one of those businesses. Not only have they established themselves as a leading retailer of commercial-grade landscaping and construction equipment, but their commitment to community building is commendable.
Over the years, Kooy Brothers have been involved in several charitable initiatives, including toy drives and other events that bring people together. But their contribution doesn’t stop there. They’ve also actively supported educational programs like the Specialized Trades Exploration Program (STEP), which introduces high school students to various skilled trades through hands-on experience on real construction sites across Toronto. This type of engagement is critical as it provides young people with the opportunity to explore potential careers in skilled labour.
Skilled trades are more important now than ever. The reality is that a significant portion of the skilled labour workforce will retire during the next 10 years. Without new apprentices stepping up, a shortage of workers in essential fields like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work could occur. These are high-demand jobs that offer above-average wages and excellent job satisfaction. In fact, recent surveys show that skilled workers value job satisfaction even more than money, enjoying the continuous learning and hands-on work that their jobs provide (Emery Village Voice).
Kooy Brothers also demonstrated their commitment to fostering skilled craftsmanship in their recent collaboration with Toronto District Christian High School’s STEP students. After their store suffered flood damage last October, Kooy Brothers underwent extensive reconstruction, including new sales, service, and parts counters. They saw an opportunity to engage local students in designing custom stools for the store, a project that involved careful consideration of design, durability, and function. The finished products, complete with personalized plaques, were a testament to the students’ hard work and Kooy Brothers’ dedication to community engagement (Emery Village Voice).
As businesses like Kooy Brothers continue to promote the trades, it’s clear that the future of skilled labour depends on the engagement of young apprentices. Supporting programs like STEP is one way to ensure an available workforce needed to keep communities thriving.